Veteran Lawmaker Says He Won't For Re-Election

Janesville Democrat Tim Cullen says he won't run again when his current state Senate term expires.

State Senator Tim Cullen says he will not run for re-election his term expires in 2014.

Cullen, a Janeville Democrat, served two stints in the state Senate. He was in office from 1974 to 1987, then re-elected again in 2010. Cullen was among 14 Democrats who left the state in an attempt to prevent a vote on the Walker administration plan to strip public workers of virtually all of their rights. State Senate Democratic leader Chris Larson praised Cullen for his service. "From his thoughtful contributions as we fought for sustainable, responsible mining reform to his deep knowledge of education and health care, Senator Cullen has provided the State Senate and the Senate Democratic Caucus with an important perspective and provoked thoughtful debate raising the level of discourse on all issues," Larson said. Cullen says he wants to focus on other activities including an effort to help minority students become teachers. Cullen says he believes he can accomplish more as a private citizen than in the legislature where he says lawmakers refuse to compromise.